A Report on Jodhpur's Historical and Cultural Landmarks (BFT-IV)

This report provides a detailed overview of several significant cultural and historical sites in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. It begins with an exploration of Guda Bishnoi Village, highlighting its scenic beauty, the Bishnoi community's reverence for nature, and the presence of diverse wildlife. The report then delves into the historical significance of Khejarli, focusing on the 1730 AD incident where 363 Bishnois sacrificed their lives to protect Khejri trees, a pivotal event that foreshadowed the Chipko Movement. The report also examines the unique shrine of Om Banna, also known as Bullet Baba, discussing its origins and the local beliefs surrounding it. Finally, it covers the Mahamandaleshwar Mahadev temple, an ancient shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, known for its beautiful artwork and historical importance. This report offers a comprehensive understanding of Jodhpur's cultural heritage, encompassing its tribal traditions, historical events, and religious sites.

GUDA BISHNOI VILLAGE
If you want to get an experience of the tribal India, Jodhpur Guda Bishnoi Village
is the place for you. It is approximately 25 kms from the main city of Jodhpur.
The Guda Bishnoi village of Jodhpur, Rajasthan is scenic beauty marked with
Khejri trees and deer. Also in the village is the Guda Bishnoi Lake. It is an
artificial lake, perfect as a picnic spot. A person interested in exotic wild life &
nature should definitely visit this village.
The Bishnoi community inhabits the village. The villagers are staunch
worshippers of nature in all its forms, specially the sanctity of plant and animal
life. They even pray to the green trees and animals that inhabit their land. In this
world of exploitation everywhere, they make every effort to conserve the
environment. Another fact about the Bishnoi tribals is that they worship Lord
Vishnu and are vegetarians.
Around the Guda Bishnoi Lake, you can see numerous migratory birds like
domicile Cranes etc, blackbucks and chinkaras. This pond is drinking point for
antelopes black bucks of near by area. The Guda Bishnoi village in Jodhpur,
Rajasthan, India is a kind of desert oasis. It is the perfect place to experience the
traditions and customs of tribal life. It is a place caught in a delightful time warp,
where life still goes on like the days of the past.

KHEJARLI
Khejarli or Khejadli is a village in Jodhpur district
of Rajasthan, India, 26 kilometres (16 mi) south-
east of the city of Jodhpur. The name of the town
is derived from Khejri (Prosopis cineraria) trees
that were once abundant in the village.
In this village 363 Bishnois sacrificed their lives
in 1730 AD while protecting green Khejri that are
considered sacred by the community. The
incident was a forebear of the 20th-century Chipko Movement.
Thakur Surat Singh, of Kharda thikana, a small estate in Jodhpur pargana. was
granted the estate of Khejarli in the same pargana, by Maharaja Abhai Singh of
Marwar in 1726 AD, and he became the first 'Thakur of Khejarli'.
Khejarli was the site of a forebear of the Chipko movement. In September 1730,
a royal party led by Giridhar Bhandari, a minister of the maharajah of Marwar,
arrived at the village with the intention of felling some Khejri trees that were
sacred to the villagers. The trees were to be burned to produce lime for the
construction of a new palace.
A local woman called Amrita Devi Bishnoi protested against the tree-felling
because such acts were prohibited by the Bishnoi's religion. The feudal party
said that they would only cease if she paid them a bribe, which she refused to do
because she saw that as ignominious and an insult to her faith. She said that she
would rather give away her life to save the trees. She and her three daughters
(Asu, Ratni and Bhagu) were then killed by the party. News of the deaths spread
and summons to a meeting were sent to 83 Bishnoi villages. The meeting
determined that one Bishnoi volunteer would sacrifice their life for every tree
that was cut down. Older people began hugging the trees that were intended to
be cut and many were killed.These efforts failed to have the desired impact and
Bhandari claimed that the Bishnois were sacrificing ageing people whom they no
longer saw as useful to society. In response to this, young men, women and
children began to follow the example of the old.The development shocked the
tree-felling party. The group left for Jodhpur with their mission unfulfilled and the
Maharaja Abhai Singh of Marwar subsequently ordered that no more trees should
be felled. 363 Bishnois died in the incident.

OM BANNA
Om Banna is a shrine located in Pali district
near Jodhpur, India, devoted to a deity in the
form of a motorcycle. It is located 20
kilometres (12 mi) from Pali and 53
kilometres (33 mi) away from Jodphur on the
Pali-Jodhpur highway, near Chotila village.
The motorcycle is a 350cc Royal Enfield
Bullet RNJ 7773.Hundreds of devotees turn
up every day to pray for a safe journey.
On 2 December 1991, Om Banna (formerly known as Om Singh Rathore) was
travelling from the town of Bangdi near Sanderao of Pali, to Chotila, when he lost
control of his motorcycle and hit a tree. He died instantly and his motorcycle fell
into a nearby ditch. The morning after the accident, local police took the
motorcycle to a nearby police station. The next day it was reported to have
disappeared from the station and was found back at the site of the incident.
Police, once again, took the motorcycle, this time emptying its fuel tank and
putting it under lock and chain to prevent its removal. Despite their efforts, the
next morning it again disappeared and was found at the accident site. Legend
states that the motorcycle kept returning to the same ditch. It thwarted every
attempt by police to keep it at the local police station; the motorcycle always
returned to the same spot before dawn.This came to be seen as a miracle by
local population, and they began to worship the "Bullet Bike." News of the
miracle motorcycle spread to nearby villages, and later they built a temple to
worship it. This temple is known as "Bullet Baba's Temple." It is believed that Om
Banna's spirit helps distressed travellers.
Every day nearby villagers and travelers stop and pray to the bike and its late
owner Om Singh Rathore. Those who pass by stop to bow their heads leave
offerings in honour of the helpful spirit, and some drivers also offer small bottles
of alcohol at the site.[6] It is said that a person who does not stop to pray at the
shrine is in for a dangerous journey. Devotees also apply the 'tilak' mark and tie
a red thread on the motorbike. Local people sing folk songs in the name of Om
Banna. The tree that caused Om Banna's death remains ornamented with
offering of bangles, scarves,etc.Many local people offer incense sticks, flowers,
coconut and red thread meant for offering prayers and sweets. A 24-hour fire is
kept at the temple

NATURE AND
HISTORICAL
WALK
ASSIGNMENT
SUBMITTED TO :-
MRS JYOTI KHATJU
SUBMITTED BY :-
HITEN SONI
( BFT - IV )

Mahamandaleshwar
Mahadev
The beauty of Jodhpur is not just limited to its magnificent forts; temples also
attracts tourists attention. In Jodhpur, one can find a good number of ancient
temples and oldest and most visited amongst them is Mandaleshwar Mahadev,
which was built in 923 AD by Mandal Nath. Sacred to Lord Shiva, the shrine is
believed to be the oldest in the region. It's beautifully embellished walls,
decorated with some of the finest paintings of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati,
are the evidence of its brilliance and exquisiteness. The temple looks beautiful
and catches a lot of attention during Mandalnath Mela, which takes place in the
month of March or April.